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February Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

February 18, 2016

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the sweet comments I received yesterday for my 2nd blogiversary-it made my day! 🙂

February’s Birchbox has arrived so let’s take a look at what’s inside!

Cartier Baiser Vole Lys Rose

“From a brand that knows elegance, a romantic floral scent with notes of fresh, powdery lily.” I usually like rose scented perfumes but I think the combination of lily made this a bit overwhelming and I’m not a fan of it.

Marcelle NewAge 8 in 1 Power Serum

This is a lightweight anti-aging gel that is supposed to provide, “eight transformative benefits in one tube.” A quick glance at the ingredient list shows a few peptides, which can help with ant-aging issues. I’ve only used this once and it is light with a silky, almost silicone-like, feel when applied. My skin felt and looked a bit smoother afterwards.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar- Black Metal Dahlia

A cruelty-free, cult favorite product, this liquid lipstick offers matte and opaque coverage with the tiniest application. I haven’t tried this one because I’m thinking of giving it away as I already have something similar to this.

Ouidad VitaCurl Define & Shine Styling Gel-Cream

This ultrahydrating, non-sticky formula is said to enhance the texture of curls and waves while leaving a luminous finish. I’ve used this once and it did provide a hold to the curls without leaving them crunchy. Since the sample size on this is generous, I will keep testing this out to see how it works in the long run.

Whish Revitalizing Cleansing Oil

“This skin-balancing cleansing oil melts away makeup, oil, and impurities.” I’ve used this at night and I rub a dime size amount over my face to help breakdown my makeup. I then rinse with water and follow up with my cleanser. I do like this product, however as with most cleansing oil/creams I’ve used, this leaves behind a greasy film and I really have to remove it with the cleanser. I just wished it would rinse off a bit cleaner.

Overall, this wasn’t my favorite box but there’s always next month’s box.

What’s your opinion on February’s Birchbox?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing February 2016!

February 11, 2016

Hi guys! February’s PopSugar Must Have box has arrived and if you haven’t heard of this it’s a monthly box whose items range from fashion, beauty, home, fitness and food, making it a well rounded subscription box. Subscription plans start at $39.95, all items are full size and are valued at over $100.

I’m excited to share this month’s box so keep reading to see what came in the box. 🙂

Victoria’s Secret Coconut Milk Hydrating Body Lotion, $18

This soothing lotion moisturizes winter skin to leave it hydrated, soft, and smelling faintly of coconut and floral scents. A favorite of mine already.

Victoria’s Secret Sports Socks (Special Extra)

Socks that provide a cushioned sole, arch support and made with fabric that keeps your feet cool and dry even while working out. Of course I will be using these. You can never have enough socks, right?

Victoria’s Secret Reward Card (Special Extra)

A $20 gift card to use at Victoria’s Secret? Yes please! Love their sports bras, but not the price, so this will come in handy.

Beautycounter Nourishing Cleansing Balm, $50

A cleanser formulated with carefully sourced ingredients to remove makeup and impurities while also moisturizing skin. Also included is a soft muslin cloth to remove the cleanser with. I’ve tried this twice, sans the muslin cloth, and while I find it does help makeup breakdown quicker, I definitely need to follow up with a cleanser because it leaves behind a greasy residue. UPDATE 4/2016: I stopped using this one as it was making me break out.

Fringe Studio Hello Beautiful Square Tray, $14

A kiln-fired glass tray that can serve as an elegant accessory for work or home that has the words Hello Beautiful embossed on it.

JewelryStorm Endless Arrow Ring, $28

A dainty ring that has, “just the right amount of bling to wear alone or stacked with other pieces.” I love this ring with the simple yet chic design. However, sizes seem to run a bit small on these.

Foodstirs Heart Cookie Mix, $12.95

Co-founded by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Foodstirs cookie kit is, “free of artificial ingredients, GMOs, and preservatives.” This kit includes the cookie mix, a heart-shaped cookie cutter and pink crystalized sugar. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Tilo Heart Print Scarf, $125

This scarf was designed exclusively for POPSUGAR and has white hearts imprinted on them.

Definitely one of my favorite boxes for sure!

What are your thoughts on this month’s box?

Stephanie

January Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

January 28, 2016

Hi everyone! I’m back with another subscription box post which finally arrived this week. I will say I am disappointed this month with the shipping of my Birchbox. It was shipped out on the 8 and I had no information as to where it was until a week later and then it took another week and a few days to be delivered. :/

Anywho, I choose the curated box this month which was Korean Beauty as it’s generating a lot of buzz lately. Here’s what the box included.

RE:P Bio Fresh Mask with Real Calming Herb

This mask uses, “organic herbs and kaolin clay to reduce redness and deeply cleanse pores.” I managed to use this once and the first thing I noticed was the scent which is very herbally and tea-like. Surprisingly, I didn’t find this too drying although I noticed a few bumps on my forehead after I used it. I’ll need to use this more to determine how well it works.

IPKN Flash Cream Radiant Primer

This primer contains SPF 15, is rich in fruit extracts and is said to create a “smooth, luminous canvas for makeup.” I tried it under my foundation and it gave a very subtle sheen to the skin. It’s a nice product though it is not my favorite and has a rather strong perfume scent. I will use it up but won’t purchase a full size.

TONYMOLY Delight Tony Tint in Red

So I’ve always been curious to try TONYMOLY products, mainly because of the cute packaging- Panda’s Dream anyone? Although the packaging on this tint is simple, it smells like strawberries, yum. The color dries to a matte finish that is supposed to last all day and although it did last an impressive amount of time through eating and drinking, it will start to fade unevenly throughout the day.

Manefit Beauty Planner Cucumber Soothing + Moisturizing Mask

Sheet masks are all the craze now and this one is supposed to soothe, tone and restore moisture to dry skin. I haven’t tried this out yet but I’ll wait until it’s not too cold at night so my skin can have a nice, refreshing treatment.

Goodal Waterest First Essence

This product includes, “hyaluronic acid and fermented lotus flower to help skin retain moisture.” I’ve tried this once in the morning and I do like it. However, like most products included in here, it does have a strong scent.

Goodal Yerba Mate Bubble Peeling & Yerba Mate Cleansing Foam Packettes

Considered a bonus, the Bubble Peeling, “removes dead skin for a brighter complexion,” and the Cleansing Foam, “balances oils and detoxifies the skin.” I haven’t had an opportunity to test these out yet but the Bubble Peeling has definitely piqued my interest with the name alone.

Overall, I do like the box and think it’s a good assortment of products to try. Sometimes I wish they weren’t so scented though.

Have you tried Korean skincare/beauty products? Which ones do you recommend?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing January 2016!

January 26, 2016

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? My PopSugar Must Have Box arrived over the weekend so here’s a quick rundown of what was included this month.

Blue Sky Day Designer Weekly Planner, $16

A perfect item to include for a new year to keep you on track. While I did give this one to my sister, I’m definitely going to check out other designs.

Not Soap, Radio Bath and Shower Gel Gift Set, $22

A positive and unique approach to shower gels, these smell amazing and each of them has an uplifting message. Clarity, luck, confidence, happiness and calm are themes included here.

Patchology FlashMasque Trio, $20

Facial sheet masks are popular and these claim to “revitalize, hydrate and illuminate skin” in just five minutes.

Pehr Designs Pebble Sack Bin, $40

A storage bin that can house hats, scarves, toys, books and beyond. Great for keeping things organized.

Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up by Marie Kondo,$18.99

In this book, expert cleaning consultant Marie Kondo illustrates “how to spark joy in our lives through tidying up,” and how to stay organized all year round. Definitely not a book I would have normally chosen on my own but I’ve skimmed through it and it looks very interesting.

Project & INC Summer Snow Sugar Free Gum, $2

Sugar free gum whose, “proceeds from every seventh pack purchased go toward antibullying efforts in the US.”

Chapstick Total Hydration 100% Natural Soothing Vanilla, $2.99

Considered a special extra, this chapstick protects lips against dryness with argan oil and other natural oils and butters. It’s portable and does provide much needed moisture to my lips.

Overall, this month’s box was okay-not my favorite but it has some practical items that I will use.

What do you think of this month’s box?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing December 2015!

December 22, 2015

PSMH

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? It’s windy and gloomy over here today but luckily I have an insight to December’s PopSugar Must Have Box to brighten things up. Let’s get to it! 🙂

Luv AJ The Rose Gold Ombre Bracelet, $65

An ombre bracelet that has a mix of silver, rose gold and gold plating.

Swing Design Nova Blue Mist Jewelry Box, $36

A jewelry box that has a stitched blue leatherette and suede interior-perfect for housing the rose gold ombre bracelet we received.

My Cup of Cake Classic Belgian Chocolate, $5.99

It doesn’t get much simpler than this three minute gourmet souffle that features dark Belgian chocolate and all-natural ingredients.

Meri Meri Silver Stars on White Glitter Tape, $4

Perfect for the holiday occasion, this white glitter tape adds a sparkling finish to your gifts.

Nima Oberoi Lunares Geo Stopper, $24

An exclusive geo stopper, wine lovers will appreciate this bottle stopper that is handcrafted to not tarnish or break so you can reuse it.

Stowaway Cosmetics Creme Lipstick Trio, $30

A lipstick trio that is designed for the girl on the go. They are small enough to fit comfortably in your clutch and also to be used up before they expire. Shades include Muted Plum, Raspberry and Cranberry.

Tiny Prints Gift Tag Stickers + $20 Promo Code, $20 (Special Extra)

Another great holiday item, these heart gift tag stickers have already been used to seal Christmas gifts. A $20 off your purchase card was also included with this.

Below is a swatch of Muted Plum. I may gift the others away so I didn’t swatch those but one is a bright red shade (Cranberry) and the other is similar to fuschia (Raspberry). These remind be of Bite Beauty except Muted Plum has a little more slip to it which makes it glide effortlessly on the lips

Stowaway Cosmetics Muted Plum

As with my other PopSugar boxes, I am pleased with the items included in here, especially the lipsticks and the holiday tags!

What do you think of this month’s box?

Stephanie

December Birchbox Unboxing 2015!

December 17, 2015

Happy Thursday everyone! December’s Birchbox is in so let’s get to it! 🙂

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

For a few years now, I have been wanting to try out this dry shampoo so when I saw it was included, I was happy. After trying it though, I found it to be sticky and it doesn’t have a scent per se but still smells kind of odd, if that makes sense. Not my favorite dry shampoo yet but I’ll give it another shot. Bonus points for not leaving a white residue behind.

JUARA Coconut Illipe Hand and Nail Balm

This balm is supposed to hydrate, firm and plump hands as well as improve nails and cuticles and with this cold weather, it was good to put it to the test. It is fast-absorbing but not as hydrating sometimes as I would like. The scent reminds me of the beach so it’s a nice little pick me up during the afternoon.

Harvey Prince Sea Salt Texturizing Mist

I’ve seen this in multiple beauty blogs and I’m glad it was included. It has a citrusy, floral-esque scent and it gives a nice, beach-like texture to my ends when I flat iron my hair. Would definitely invest in the full size bottle.

Coastal Scents styleEYES Eyeshadow Palette- socialEYES

This month’s sample was an eyeshadow quad from Coastal Scents. While I love the colors, a vibrant turquoise and lovely gold, I will be giving this one away, hence the reason for no swatches.

theBalm Cosmetics FratBoy

You gotta love the packaging on theBalm Cosmetics and the nifty names they come up with. Again, the color looks lovely but I will also be giving this one away as I have colors that look similar. Although I am not entirely fond of the size of the sample-it looks like it would be an eyeshadow sample-my previous experience with their blushes was great so I am sure this is no different.

Overall, this was a good box filled with items I have been eyeing for a while now.

What’s your opinion on this month’s box?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing November 2015!

November 19, 2015

Hi readers! It’s almost the weekend again. Yay!

PopSugar Must Have Box also came in last weekend so here’s your peek at November’s box.

Gramr Gratitude Co. Exclusive Thanksgiving Postcard Pack, $10

A cute set of 5 postcards. They included a $15 coupon code to try out their quarterly subscription.

Tarte Cosmetics Beauty and the Box Eyeshadow in Apple of My Eye, $22

When I first saw we were getting a Tarte eyeshadow quad, I wasn’t too thrilled but after seeing the shades, it’s clearly the star of the box. Perfect fall and everyday colors. This is a new product from Tarte’s fall line that will soon be released.

Swatches of the eyeshadow quad. Top-Bottom: Gala, Honeycrisp, Caramel and Golden Delicious. I’m really loving Caramel.

West Emory Bingbo Set, $20

Pretty self explanatory. Not sure if I will keep this or gift it away but it’s a good idea for a rainy day.

Deepa Gurnani Katie Crystal Headband, $56

This festive headband seems to be a perfect fit for the holidays coming up.

Capri Mercury Jewel Box Candle in Rain, $18

I love candles and this one is no exception. Everything from the packaging, a recycled hand blown glass box with wooden lid, to the scent is lovely. Plus, it can be used as a keepsake box after the candle is finished.

Terrapin Ridge Farms Pecan Honey Mustard, $7.30

I must admit I love honey mustard and was happy to receive this. It’s gluten and dairy free and tastes a little bit like Dijon mustard. I couldn’t taste the pecans really. This can be used as a vegetable glaze, cheese pairing, sauce for pork tenderloin or roast turkey, or pretzel dip.

Another good box from PopSugar. 🙂

What’s your favorite item?

Stephanie

November Birchbox Unboxing 2015!

November 17, 2015

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I managed to pick up a few items at Sephora plus I have some on their way so I will post on that later. I’ve also been battling a low grade fever so I’m a bit behind on comments/social media but I will get back to you. 🙂

Birchbox came in over the weekend so here’s a glance on what was included.

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser and Vitamin E Face Moisturizer (sample)

This cleanser is said to help clear up breakouts and balance skins natural pH;the moisturizer has hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to nourish skin. I haven’t had a chance to try these two yet.

LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick in First Kiss

Birchbox has a new in-house brand called LOC. This month’s sample I choose was a lipstick that was curated by YouTube beauty star Tati Westbrook. It’s a matte pinky beige color that is so pretty but unfortunately doesn’t last long and definitely needs to be paired with lip balm or lipgloss so it doesn’t dry out lips.

LOC First Kiss

Montale Dark Purple

This fragrance sample has “notes of rose petals, geranium bourbon, and patchouli [that] sit on a woodsy base of gray amber, teak wood and white musk.” It smells a lot like berries and while I do like it, it’s not unique enough that would compel me to purchase the full size.

Parlor by Jeff Chastain Touchable Curl Cream

An “innovative formula [that] combines the siky texture of a serum with the light hold of a cream.” Another item I have yet to try but I do find that I always need to layer hair products with these type of creams to really hold my curls in place and prevent frizz.

The Beauty Crop Lighting Crew Highlighting Cream

I had seen this in other bloggers’ pages and I was excited when I discovered this was included. It smells like pineapple, (yum!) and really does add a glow so a little dab will go a long way. It can also be mixed with body lotion to give your body a festive and luminous glow. Note: Make sure to blend this quickly when you use it.

The Beauty Crop Highlighting Cream

Overall, this box was okay. I wish the lipstick was formulated as more moisturizing but the highlighting cream was a great choice and made this box.

What are your thoughts on this box?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing October 2015!

October 20, 2015

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? October’s PopSugar Must Have Box arrived over the weekend, prompting a great start. 🙂 Take a peek at what was included in this month’s box!

Inspiration behind this months box.

The Honest Company Sea Salt + Sugar Body Scrub Lavender Vanilla, $17

Perfect for fall and winter, this body scrub has sugar and salt to slough away dead skin cells while shea butter and almond oils hydrate the skin. Oh, and it is Lavender scented. 🙂

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling, $25

I’ll be honest and say I’m not really a fan of The Mindy Project but I did read the first chapter in this book and I found it entertaining. This book is a collection of essays that “shed light on her less-than-perfect fit in Hollywood.”

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product, $11.96

Considered a special extra, this leave-in product detangles, adds shine and stops frizz. “It’s a 10 Haircare is a proud partner of Right Action For Women, helping provide advanced cancer screening to women.”

Belgian Boys De Stoopwafel, $1.59

The second item I tried after taking pictures and this was heavenly! It’s a caramel-filled waffle that’s a nice treat without being overly sweet.

Donation to Breast Cancer Awareness

“In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, PopSugar Must Have has made a donation to Right Action For Women.”

Easy, Tiger Brown Paper Liquor Bag Set, $8

Definitely not something I would have ever thought to purchase, these imaged paper bags can be used to carry your favorite bottle of wine to any special occasion.

Savvy Sleepers Luxury Satin Pillowcase, $36

This 100% satin pillowcase “prevents sleep wrinkles, reduces hair breakage, and protects salon blowouts for the ultimate sleep experience.” I do notice that sometimes I wake up with these creases on the side of my face with my regular pillowcases and since switching to this, they seem less pronounced. More time will tell.

Richer Poorer Hope Slipper Socks, $15

These pink slipper socks were designed by PopSugar to support Breast Cancer Awareness month. “Richer Poorer proudly supports the fight against breast cancer and the important work of Right Action for Women.” These will come in handy once things start cooling down over here but for now, these will be put away as the sight of them causes me to cringe with this hot weather.

Danielle Steven Monogram Gift Card, $40

Another special extra, this $40 gift card can be used to receive your own monogrammed statement piece.

Also included were coupon codes: 20% off Savvy Sleepers and 30% off products purchased online from The Honest Company.

If you’re interested in trying out PopSugar Must Have, click here and if you need an incentive, check out this sneak peek of what’s included in every November PopSugar Must Have Box.

Have a great Tuesday,

Stephanie

October Birchbox Unboxing 2015!

October 13, 2015

Disclosure: This post contains a referral link.

Welcome back readers! October’s Birchbox arrived over the weekend and the theme is Positive Force in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Birchbox has teamed up with The Estee Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to fund one year of breast cancer lab research hours. Take a look at the samples I received for this month.

Avene Cleanance Soap-Free Gel Cleanser

A blue tinged cleanser that vaguely smells like Dove Soap (without the soap of course) and is infused with French thermal spring water. Definitely geared towards oily skin as this thoroughly removes oil and deep cleans.

Davines LOVE Smoothing Shampoo and bonus sample LOVE Smoothing Conditioner

I’m a fan of Davines’ products and these two are no exceptions. Formulated with oilve oil and rice protein, the shampoo cleans without stripping hair and the thick conditioner helps calm frizz. *Note: Personally, I have to alternate shampoos because there is an ingredient in here that over time makes my scalp and body itch but every time I use it, I love the results.

derma e Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask

Activated charcoal is scoring brownie points in the skincare and health realms so I was anxious to try this. It has apricot seed powder to exfoliate along with kaolin and bentonite clays to absorb oil and help decongest the skin. This crazy SoCal weather is causing me to breakout a bit so I’m testing to see if this will help clear it up.

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara

One of the sample choices this month, this is a water-resistant mascara that is long-lasting, curls and adds volume. I have yet to test this out but it sounds promising.

Penhaligon’s Juniper Sling Eau de Toilette

The sample perfume has notes of juniper, cardamom, soft leather, black cherry and amber. I cannot stomach the scent of juniper, so this sample will be given away.

Fragrance sample aside, I thought this box was good. Not my favorite but still worth it.

If you like what you saw and are thinking of subscribing to Birchbox, click here to use my referral link and earn extra points to use at the Birchbox shop.

Stephanie